Grant and banquet supports 4-H shooters

Posted: Wednesday, Oct 16th, 2013By: Emily Siegel/Staff writer

Checks presented to support 4-H youth shooting sports

LUSK - Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) will host their 11th annual banquet at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds on Oct. 19 to support the Niobrara 4-H Shooting Club, which recently received $33,000 in grant funds to complete the new building, as well as purchase new firearms for the members.

Friends of the NRA chairman and chief of police at the Lusk Police Department (LPD), Sean Dressen, accompanied other board members to Riverton back in January to put in the request for the grant money. The 4-H Shooting club teaches Niobrara youths about gun safety and shooting sports, such as clays and the different stances while firing a weapon. Skills, Dressesn believes, are important for the younger generations to understand and respect.

“Over the years NRA has blessed us to help us with the shooting range out east of town. And helped with the kids, and have been very instrumental. We’re just excited to keep it going. It’s very positive for the community,” he said.

Although funded by the NRA, Friends of the NRA is a separate organization within the county.

“It’s separate from the NRA. The NRA is the political side of it. Friends of the NRA is for the kids and the communities,” Dressen explained, later adding, “We are hoping that we get a good turnout. In the past we have drawn 300-400 people.”

Judy Martin is the secretary at the LPD. She has helped organize the event and said people from outside the county also participate in helping the 4-H shooting club.

“We have a lot of sponsors that are not local people that actually put money in and sponsor some of the items that come on from the NRA,” Martin said. “Most of these people know that this is going to help the kids in the community, and they are more than willing to help in any way they can. Covered Wagon generally always sponsors the bb gun.”

The banquet is set up to provide fun for the entire family. Doors open at 5 and there will be prizes, games and other activities for all ages. Guns will be auctioned off after a prime rib dinner is served at 7. Tickets can be purchased beforehand at the police station or put on hold by calling the LPD and reserving tickets. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the NRA program.

“The more tickets we sell the more guns and games we will have at the event,” Dressen said. “It’s my life commitment to help the children.”